Job overview
We are looking for a creative, forward thinking and motivated Mental Health Practitioner to join our friendly and professional multi-disciplinary Emotional & Behavioural (core) CAMHS Team. The team is based in Dunstable, within the South Bedfordshire Specialist CAMHS Service. Our work is underpinned by strong values to treat each other, service users and agency partners with respect and care. We would be happy to consider requests for flexible working.
The post-holder will be offering assessment and therapeutic treatment to young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties and their families/carers. You will involve parent/carers, schools and other agencies as required. You will require a high degree of professional autonomy, organization, and self management, with the ability to work well in a team. You will be supported by regular specialist clinical and management supervision sessions, access to a variety of internal CPD sessions, and annual performance appraisals. You will also participate in weekly clinical discussions with the team. There are opportunities to take part in discipline-specific meetings within Bedfordshire CAMHS and ELFT.
Main duties of the job
We work alongside other CAMHS teams that offer more specialist support, for example for clients in crisis, or those with eating disorders or learning disabilities. We also work closely with our growing local community teams that have staff working in schools, GP practices and Early Help teams. The team is made up of: Administrative staff, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, a Senior Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, CBT Psychotherapists, an Arts Psychotherapist, Systemic Therapists, a Counsellor and Mental Health Nurse. We are also passionate about supporting trainees from all disciplines.
The team leader is committed to staff development and there are regular opportunities for staff to apply for appropriate training courses and to get involved with Quality Improvement projects. We enjoy working with our excellent service user participation team, for example involving service users in recruitment and service development. There are frequent new developments in the service, offering staff the chance to work at a higher banding during the time of the project. As part of the East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), there are a significant number of positions in the trust for clinicians up to band 8D, opening up paths for promotion for ambitious members of staff. ELFT also prioritizes staff wellbeing and we have introduced a range of staff wellbeing initiatives to support this.
Working for our organisation
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This post is based close to the M1 and easily reached by car from North London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The clinic has the added benefit of free parking and all clinicians are supported by very dedicated and efficient administrative staff. Most of the work will be based in the clinic when not remote working (currently up to 25% of hours can be worked from home). Access to a car would be very helpful given the location. The Trust has an arrangement for 50% discount on season ticket fares with Thameslink, the rail provider, for its staff. A generous relocation package is available if you need to move to access this job.
For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact:
Dr Louise Scrivener, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Team Lead, Dunstable CAMHS, tel 01582 707635 or email
Person specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential criteria
1. Qualified as Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist
2. Registered member of ACP
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Experience of working in a CAMHS setting
4. Experience of working with parents/ carers and their children
5. Knowledge and experience of working with Child Protection issues and mental health problems
6. Experience of multi-disciplinary and multiagency network
7. Experience of consultation to colleagues from other disciplines
8. Leadership experience
Desirable criteria
9. Specific trainings in ND and ASD/C assessment and treatment protocols
10. Skills in applying behavioural/learning approaches to difficult to manage behaviour
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
11. Knowledge of psychological theories of childhood development and an understanding of implication for clinical activity.
12. Knowledge of recent legislation and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management and mental health in relation to children and their families.